Suspect in fatal hit-and-run
waives preliminary hearing

By Jon Campisi
Times Staff Writer

An Olney woman accused of the death of a Northeast teenager after a hit-and-run incident in March waived her preliminary hearing last week.
The motorist, Michelle Johnson, 40, of the 5900 block of Lawrence St., appeared with her attorneys before Municipal Court Judge Jimmy Moore during the brief June 18 session. The hearing had been scheduled for April but was continued by the court.
Johnson allegedly was behind the wheel of an SUV that struck 15-year-old Marylee Otto, of the 1900 block of Kennedy St., as the Frankford teen walked eastbound on the center median of Rhawn Street near Lexington Avenue at about 11 p.m. on March 28. Otto was taken to Frankford Hospital’s Torresdale Campus but died about four hours later.
Two days after the incident, police acting on a tip impounded a green SUV with front-end damage parked at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, 7901 State Road. Johnson worked there as a nurse through a health-care contractor retained by the prison system.
An investigation led to her arrest.
Last week, Johnson appeared subdued as she quietly answered questions by prosecutor John Doyle. With her decision to waive a formal hearing, Johnson will be arraigned on July 9 at 11 a.m.
She has been charged with homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, leaving the scene of a fatal accident, driving with a suspended license and related offenses.
At the time of the investigation, police said Johnson was on her way to work at Curran-Fromhold when she ran a red light and the SUV struck Otto just east of Lexington Avenue. Johnson continued driving to the prison, parked her damaged Toyota Sequoia in the lot and went about her usual shift, police said.
She allegedly left the SUV in the prison parking lot and went home, returning for work the following night by another means of transportation.
Last week’s brief session in the Criminal Justice Center was attended by supporters of both Otto and Johnson. Teri Sautter, the teen’s mother, wore a T-shirt that paid tribute to her late daughter. ••
Reporter Jon Campisi can be reached at 215-354-3038 or jcampisi@phillynews.com